Polly's Picks

Senior Editor Polly Sparling lists her top event picks for January 2011

By Polly Sparling

Published: 12/22/2010

A lifelong state resident, Frank C. Eckmair has been creating woodcut prints, engravings, and other artworks for decades; he is considered one of America’s most accomplished printmakers. The Landscape of Memory, now on view at the New York State Museum, features 80 of Eckmair’s landscapes, many of which depict the farm fields, old barns, and other rural views near his Otsego County home. Daily 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. through Sept. 2011. • Empire State Plaza, Albany. 518-474-5877 or www.nysm.nysed.gov

So you’ve seen the show on Broadway and Mamma Mia! at the local cineplex, but you still haven’t had enough of ABBA? Then head to Troy for an evening with Arrival From Sweden, the world’s largest touring ABBA show. Backed by a full band (including original ABBA bassist Mike Watson) and clad in exact copies of those trademark white outfits, this high-energy quartet belts out hits like “Dancing Queen” and “Waterloo.” They sing so convincingly, in fact, that Swedish radio listeners couldn’t tell the difference between them and the pop supergroup. Jan. 14 at 8 p.m. $20-$35, $15 students 7-17. • Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. 30 Second St., Troy. 518-273-0038 or www.troymusichall.org

Although the Jacob Burns Film Center bills it as a film for kids and their families, just about anyone will enjoy On the Town, the 1949 musical about three World War II sailors on 24-hour leave in the Big Apple. Originally a hit Broadway show, the movie version features a star-studded lineup — Frank Sinatra, Gene Kelly, and Anne Miller, among others — as well as a screenplay and song lyrics by Comden and Green (who also wrote the classic Singin’ in the Rain). Jan. 8, 9, 15, & 16 at noon. $11, $6.50 children. • 364 Manville Rd., Pleasantville. 914-747-5555 or www.burnsfilmcenter.org

Rolling Stone calls Gregg Allman one of the “100 Greatest Singers of All Time” — and anyone who’s ever heard Allman howl out the vocals on hits like “Whipping Post” is likely to agree. A founding member of the Allman Brothers Band — probably the most influential southern rock group of the ’70s — this Rock and Roll Hall of Famer also has had a successful solo career, highlighted by 1987’s certified gold album I’m No Angel. Rock with him on Jan. 8 at 8 p.m. $48. • Ulster Performing Arts Center. 601 Broadway, Kingston. 845-339-6088 or www.upac.org